Martina and George’s Experience Of University - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS Academic Listening Test 2 · Part 3 · Questions 21–30
Audio
Questions
Questions 21–22 Multiple Choice (Two Answers)
Choose TWO letters, A-E.
Questions 23–26 Summary Completion
Complete the summary below.
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each answer.
George's experience of university
George is studying Mechanical Engineering which involves several disciplines. He is finding 23 the most difficult. At the moment, his course is mainly 24 . He will soon have an assignment which involves a study of 25 . He thinks there are too many 26 and would like less of them.
Questions 27–30 Multiple Choice (One Answer)
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q21 | — | — | |
| Q22 | D / B | My favourite subject was History but I couldn't see what career that would give me So, in the end I decided to opt for English which was my second favourite subject and I thought it would be more useful to me than studying anything else |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that Martina liked History the most and English next. She chose to study English for her university degree because she thought it would help her get a job better than History would. Answer Explanation: The answer is English and History because these are the two subjects Martina liked the most before she started university. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is D and B because Martina describes History as her favourite and English as her second favourite. While George thought she liked Art best, she clarifies that she only liked the teacher. She also mentions being good at Science but says she did not enjoy studying it. Therefore, History and English were the two subjects she liked best. |
| Q23 | mathematics / maths / math | I'm doing Mechanical Engineering which is really interesting but it covers quite a lot of areas like materials science, machine design, physics and of course mechanics – and they're all fine. But it's maths that I'm struggling with. It's a lot harder than it was at school | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows George listing different parts of his engineering course. He says most topics are okay, but he uses the word 'struggling' to describe his experience with maths, meaning it is the subject he finds hardest to do. Answer Explanation: The answer identifies the school subject that George finds most challenging during his university studies. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is mathematics (or math/maths) because George mentions his major, Mechanical Engineering, covers many topics. He explains that while most of these topics are fine, he is 'struggling' with maths. He also notes that it is 'a lot harder' than it was when he was at school. In this context, 'struggling' and 'harder' indicate that this is the most difficult part of his course. |
| Q24 | theory / theoretical | Currently, it's nearly all theory, so it's a bit heavy-going | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows George saying that right now his classes are almost completely about ideas and reading, which he finds a little bit difficult or tiring. Answer Explanation: The answer means that George is mostly studying ideas and rules from books right now, rather than doing hands-on work. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is theory or theoretical because George says that right now his studies do not include much hands-on practice. Instead, he spends his time learning the ideas behind the subjects. He uses the word 'theory' to describe this and says 'currently,' which means at the moment. |
| Q25 | jet engines | In fact, I've got a great assignment this term working on jet engines which means I'll be going on a few field trips to a nearby airport | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that George has a project (an assignment) during this part of the school year (this term) where he will study the engines of planes (jet engines) at an airport. Answer Explanation: The answer 'jet engines' refers to the powerful machines used to fly airplanes, which is what George will be studying for his school project. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'jet engines' because George explicitly mentions them when talking about his schoolwork. He says he has a big task or 'assignment' this term that involves working on these specific machines. Because of this project, he will even visit an airport to see them. |
| Q26 | seminars | But we also have a lot of seminars and I find with so many people expressing their views it can get quite frustrating. It would be better if we didn't have so many of those | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows George's opinion that his university course has too many group discussion classes (seminars), which he finds difficult to deal with because everyone is talking at once. Answer Explanation: The answer 'seminars' refers to a type of university class where small groups of students meet to discuss specific topics or ideas. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'seminars' because George says that having many of these classes is annoying for him. He mentions that because every person shares their thoughts, the classes become 'frustrating'. He clearly states that he wants fewer of them by saying it would be 'better' if they did not have so many. |
| Q27 | A | they don't appear to be very studious here, but they are very friendly. I must say I've been doing a lot of sitting around and chatting over the last week or so | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Martina saying that the students at her school are very friendly and that she has spent her time sitting and talking with them. Answer Explanation: The answer 'sociable' means that people are friendly and like to spend time talking and being with others. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because Martina describes the students at her university as very friendly. She mentions that she spends a lot of time sitting and talking with them. In English, when someone is friendly and enjoys talking to others, we call them 'sociable'. Martina also says they do not seem 'studious' (hardworking), which helps rule out choice B. |
| Q28 | B | Actually that doesn't bother me. I'm bound to get to know some people sooner or later. It's more a question of finding out what I need to do, where to go and so on. I hope he can help me with that | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that George is not worried about meeting people. Instead, he wants his tutor to help him learn the school routine and find his way around the campus. Answer Explanation: The answer B means George wants his teacher to help him get comfortable and organized in his new school. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because George is more worried about practical things like 'where to go' and 'what to do' than making friends. He mentions his tutor is kind and understands that starting university is hard. George hopes the tutor can help him learn the routine and find his way around, which is a major part of settling into university. |
| Q29 | C | Yes – for the course I'm doing we have to hand our first one in at the end of next month | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that Martina knows the time when her first paper is due. To 'hand in' something means to give your finished work to a teacher or boss. Answer Explanation: The answer identifies that Martina knows when her first piece of university work is due. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because Martina explains when she needs to submit her first piece of work. She says it must be finished by the end of next month. A 'deadline' is the final date or time when a task must be finished. In the conversation, she says 'no' when asked about the 'topic' and says she is 'not sure' about the length (how much to write), making those options incorrect. |
| Q30 | C | Yes – well I do like to have some people around me, so I'd prefer to live with a family somewhere in a house not too far from the university | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that George wants to live in a house with a family because he likes having people nearby, and he wants the house to be near his school. Answer Explanation: The answer means George wants to live in a house with a family instead of where he lives now. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because George says he wants to live with a family. He is currently living in a school building called a 'hall of residence', but he finds it too noisy. Even though it is loud, he does not want to live alone ('on his own') because he likes having people around. Therefore, living with a family is his chosen preference. |
Transcript
Martina: Oh hi George, how's it going?
George: Hi Martina, it's going well. How about you? How's university life?
Martina: Well it's great – apart from the studying of course.
George: Yeah – me too! What are you studying? I seem to remember that you were going to do Art. That was your best subject, wasn't it?
Martina: No – not really – I just liked the teacher. He was French and had an amazing accent. My favourite subject was History but I couldn't see what career that would give me.
George: Ah, right. So what did you choose?
Martina: Well I found it really difficult to decide. I was really good at Science but I must admit I never really enjoyed studying it. So, in the end I decided to opt for English which was my second favourite subject and I thought it would be more useful to me than studying anything else. So – that's what I'm doing. Um – how are you finding university?
George: Well – it's a bit of a challenge I suppose.
Martina: Are you finding it difficult?
George: Well, some of it. I'm doing Mechanical Engineering which is really interesting but it covers quite a lot of areas like materials science, machine design, physics and of course mechanics – and they're all fine. But it's maths that I'm struggling with. It's a lot harder than it was at school.
Martina: I can believe it. It all sounds very difficult to me. But then I never was very good at mechanical things. I suppose it must involve some practical work?
George: Well – not at the moment. Currently, it's nearly all theory, so it's a bit heavy-going.
Martina: I guess you need to start with that so that you can get a grasp of the concepts and learn a few facts before you start putting it into practice. It must be a lot different to the course that I'm taking.
George: Yes – but in a few weeks we'll be having a lot more practical experience. In fact, I've got a great assignment this term working on jet engines which means I'll be going on a few field trips to a nearby airport.
Martina: Oh – that's great. It sounds like you're going to be very busy.
George: Yes I'm not sure how I'm going to cope with the work. We have a lot of lectures – and that's fine. The lecturers are very knowledgeable and I learn a lot from them. But we also have a lot of seminars and I find with so many people expressing their views it can get quite frustrating. It would be better if we didn't have so many of those.
Martina: Yes – it's the same for me. [pause] Um – how are the students at your place?
George: Well I haven't really met anyone yet. They all seem a bit quiet.
Martina: Perhaps they're working hard – they don't appear to be very studious here, but they are very friendly. I must say I've been doing a lot of sitting around and chatting over the last week or so.
George: Well, that's good. The only person I've spoken to really is my tutor. He's very approachable and seems to understand how difficult it can be starting university.
Martina: It's good to have someone you can talk to. And he may help you meet other students.
George: Actually that doesn't bother me. I'm bound to get to know some people sooner or later. It's more a question of finding out what I need to do, where to go and so on. I hope he can help me with that.
Martina: Oh I would have thought so. Well we certainly have a lot of work ahead of us. It seems like a long time, doesn't it – studying for three years.
George: Yes it does – but I'm sure it'll go quickly. You know I'm really dreading the first assessment.
Martina: Yes – for the course I'm doing we have to hand our first one in at the end of next month.
George: Really – so have you got the topic yet?
Martina: No – but we'll get it soon. I'm not sure how much we have to write yet – not too much, I hope!
George: I know what you mean. And it's hard to study especially where I am now.
Martina: Oh – where are you living?
George: I'm living in a hall of residence. I thought that would be a good idea as there'd be a lot of people around but I'm finding it a bit noisy. I can see that I'm going to have problems when I really need to get down to some work.
Martina: So I guess you need to be somewhere on your own then?
George: Yes – well I do like to have some people around me, so I'd prefer to live with a family somewhere in a house not too far from the university.
Martina: Well good luck with that.
George: Yes thanks – and good luck to you as well. I have to dash now. I've another lecture in ten minutes. Bye for now.
Martina: Bye.